2016 in review (I'm a Metallican) part 2

One of the rare exceptions when the album is way better than the cover leads you to believe.

A little over a month ago, I got a copy of Hardwired… To Self-Destruct by Metallica, after being drawn in by cleverly released videos of the title track and two others that ACTUALLY SOUNDED LIKE METALLICA. I have been overly critical of the band’s output since I graduated high school in the early 90’s, but I have to say that over the past year, I have become fond of most of the singles from the Black Album through Death Magnetic; except for that LuLu and St. Anger stuff, I still can’t hang with how they sound. Regardless, I think it’s safe to say that Metallica won their way back into my heart, and then some.

HOLY SHIT!

When Metallica’s fan club, “met club,” announced a bay area club show at the Fox Theater to benefit the Alameda Food Bank, I felt the strong urge to go; but did not win the raffle to purchase the $25 fan ticket, nor was I able to procure a $100 general admission ticket through Ticket master when they went on sale on November 18^th. I was so bummed when my Ticketmaster app timed out and even more bummed when I learned my friend Matt, who was also trying to get us tickets, had similar luck. The following Monday, I was still down on the fact that I would miss this prefect opportunity to see the Metallica I wanted to see, in a setting where I am most comfortable; how could this happen? Better yet, HOW COULD I MAKE THIS HAPPEN? I had found a guy on the Metallica forums who had his plus one available, but that didn’t pan out and probably ended up too rich for my blood anyway, I then decided to be a Metallican and not a Metallican’t.

I searched online for the band management’s email and thanks to the WikiLeaks of an email forwarded from Laurie Mensch to John Podesta, I got co-manager Peter Mensch’s email, as he was CC’d by his wife into the exchange. I emailed him, and a few others I found and waited… The afternoon of Friday, December 16^th, the day before the gig and after I had given up all hope, I received the following email,

“Hi Jeremy: Peter Mensch forwarded your e-mail to us and it’s your lucky day! We will be able to assist you - please fill out the attached form and return it as soon as possible to this e-mail address. We’ll process your credit card and send you a confirmation e-mail and you can pick up your tickets at will call before the show.

Welcome to the Bay Area and enjoy the show!!

Vickie Strate

Metallica HQ”

The aforementioned form was for a donation to the Alameda Food Bank, which I filled out for $100 for two tickets, $50 apiece. I received confirmation and let Matt know I had done the impossible; WE WERE GOING TO SEE A METALLICA CLUB SHOW! The boy who fell in love with Metallica in Todd Peck’s bedroom in 1986 was getting the opportunity few have had SINCE 1986, seeing Metallica in a non-arena type setting. I have always been afraid to taint the “perfect” set list I saw them play in 1989 but with how much I love the new record, I had to go, I just HAD to. When Matt and I arrived, we found we had pretty awesome balcony seats.

When the band hit the stage with very little fanfare around 9:45, they hit us square in the jaw with Budgie’s Breadfan, which is the last song I saw them play in 89, I literally had tears in my eyes, it was like an extension of that gig from nearly 28 years ago;  BREADFAN/ CREEPING DEATH/ BLACKENED/ SAD BUT TRUE/ FADE TO BLACK/ ATLAS, RISE!/ HARVESTER OF SORROW/ MOTH INTO FLAME/ ONE/ MASTER OF PUPPETS/ FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS/ ENTER SANDMAN/ WHISKEY IN THE JAR/ HARDWIRED/ SEEK AND DESTROY

I didn't take many photos, I was too busy, but here's one.

What a fucking set list! I know there are friends of mine that would probably disparage some of these songs, but as far as I am concerned, it was all top shelf bangers. The Metallica album I’ve always felt the strongest connection with is …And Justice For All and having 3 songs from it blasted into my ear drums was incredible. I appreciated the minimalistic stage set up and was very happy that Lars’ playing seems to have improved over where he was 10, 15 years ago. The band looked like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves and the sounds was fucking impeccable. This was hands down the best set I saw in 2016.

The Author and Matthew Kadi, of Monster Squad fame